I've always found that counting the breath works really well to improve your focus. As you exhale, say the number "one" silently, then with the next exhale say "two" etc. Make sure you say the number for the entire breath and try to let the number fill your mind. When you lose track of which number you're on, go back to one. However, if you have a thought but don't loose track of the sequence, just let the leave with the breath and continue. You may not get passed the number two before you have to start again, but don't worry--it will come. This is also a great thing to do whenever--you don't need to be sitting on a cushion.

Good luck,

Chris

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"Seek not to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought."--Basho

For one indeed, as it's been said, if you are trying hard at anything involving "soft" practices then you are missing it. In time you'll get the hang of it, just keep at it.

However, having myself been frustratingly stuck at that point for some time, one trick i tried was ot forego the whole "mind of no mind" but and just set aside time to lie in my bed and stare at my ceiling with quiet/calming music. Eventually, I reached a point where I found after just sitting there and absorbing the songs I could drift in and out of a mentally quieted state, and then drew on that feeling to full-on meditate. Soon after, I could even just fall into it without the music.

the biggest thing is relaxing, as about everyone and their brother's mother has said, and so if you are having difficulties work that out.

You'll get it if you want it somehow, I'm certain.

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"Success is a process, not a destination. Have faith in your ability."~Bruce Lee

If I have trouble meditating cause I have too much on mind, I just imagine a soothing sound from nature in my head. Mostly it's the sound of a calm rainfall or chirping birds. It always brings me into a meditative state when I have an overwhelmed mind.

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If you're tired, kick some more. Your opponent most likely has extra kicks to spare on you.

There's been a lot of good advice here but there is an extra tip that I have always found works wonders:

If you're having trouble shutting up that 'monkey mind' that jumps from one subject to the next then use distance. You know how on the top of a mountain all your problems seem so far away then use that. Mentally project yourself to a place far away from all your immediate problems and your mind will stop focusing on them so much.

This works very well and I have taken it to the extreme of projecting myself out into space well beyond our solar system. Out there all of mankinds problems are so infinitesimal insignificant let alone my own that I can completely just be one with myself. When you come back you will find that you feel incredibly peaceful and it's like somone has turned down the volume control in your brain so you can hear yourself again.

Hi, I have some interesting advice, we are all no better than each other, there is only one master.I hope you can find some value in it

Probably shouldn't go into the meditation thinking stuff like "OK I am going to meditate now I better not screw up" That won't help you.You don't need to "do" anything really all you are doing at the most basic level is just allowing yourself to "BE". Don't attach anything else to it.Slow and relaxed breathing does help to gradually decrease the amount of thoughts, you shouldn't monitor yourself too much just allow yourself to let go and put your focus on your body relaxing each muscle fully, it will all come with practice, as I said I am no master. Here are some ideas for you all to look at, regardless of where you are there may be something you may not have thought of.http://www.esotericenergy.com.au/freetipsandadvice.htm